Tamerlane's Empire

We begin our journey in Tashkent – the dynamic Uzbek capital, busily shaking off its Soviet past, despite twenty percent of its citizens being Russian. But street-side shashlik and pilau vendors don’t differentiate between the newer city or the old town which remains distinctly Turkic. In the evening of Day 1 you join your National Guide and fellow travellers at 5:00pm for your pre-departure meeting as detailed in your joining instructions.

This morning we travel beyond the capital, southeast, to the rarely visited oasis of Fergana Valley, the lyrical land of fruit and honey. Spending the night in Fergana we explore the region's delightful market towns – Andijan, one of the Silk Road’s earliest and most important centres as well as the birthplace of Babur, father to India’s great Moghul Empire - Margilan, the silk capital of Uzbekistan, here friendly locals spruik their wears at the fascinating bazaar dressed in traditional costume.

Sightseeing: Andijan Bazaar, Excursion to Margilan and Fergana including a silk factory, City Exploring and free time

This morning we stop in Rishton – a town renowned for its master potters, around 300 of them! Then we continue on to the town of Kokand. Once home to over three hundred mosques, today you can still discover a number of impressive palaces, mosques and madrassas, including the magnificent Khudayar Khan Palace and Mir Mosque. Remnants of what once was a powerful state as well as a prosperous trading and religious centre. Sightseeing: Excursion to the potteries in Rishton, the Kokand Minaret, and City Exploring and free time

After a city tour of Tashkent in the morning we board our overnight train which take us across the vast open plains of the Kyzyl Kum Desert towards Khiva.

the wonderfully preserved city of Khiva – one of the finest examples of a Khanate fortified city and a living museum with mosques, madrassas and caravanserai crowded within its walls. Kunya Ark – a former residence of the Khan, the beautiful Kalta Minar minaret and the extraordinary Tash Khauli or ‘Stone Palace’ are among the prominent attractions. Sightseeing: Tashkent city tour

Today we arrive in the wonderfully preserved city of Khiva – one of the finest examples of a Khanate fortified city and a living museum with mosques, madrassas and caravanserai crowded within its walls. Kunya Ark – a former residence of the Khan, the beautiful Kalta Minar minaret and the extraordinary Tash Khauli or ‘Stone Palace’ are among the prominent attractions. Sightseeing: Khiva walking tour.

A day to explore this magical city at leisure.

Today we head out on an excursion to the remote region bordering Karakalpakstan to explore the ancient forts of Ayaz Qala. We'll be hosted for lunch in a traditional yurt camp before returning to Khiva for the night. Sightseeing: Ayaz Qala desert fortress

We depart by train to Bukhara where we are treated to Central Asia’s most complete medieval city and revel in its beautiful traditional architecture as we walk through its history.

Encapsulating and enchanting, Bukhara’s intrigue lies in the evolution of the city; whilst some highly significant centres of human history are frozen for prosperity – Bukhara lives on unchanged by time. Highlights of your time here will most certainly include the Ark Fortress, the Samanid Mausoleum – one of the world’s oldest monuments, and the Kalyan Minaret which once served as a beacon for caravans negotiating the desert at night, the only surviving structure from 1220 when Genghis Khan laid the city to waste. Sightseeing: City Tour including: Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Samanid Mausoleum, Poyi Kalyan Ensemble, Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah, Kosh Madrasah Ensemble, Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki Attori Mosque and the Coumpol Bazaar.

Take your time here to explore the Old Town and enjoy some of the many chaikhanas (tea-houses) in Lyabi-Hauz, one of the most peaceful and interesting people-watching places in town. Sightseeing: City exploring and free time

A spectacular drive through the Zerafshan Mountains takes us to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Beside the ruined entrance towers of his Ak-Serai Palace, the pretty market town offers a relaxed atmosphere with traditional homes, teahouses and mosques. Continue onwards to Samarkand. Sightseeing: Shakhrisabz : Ak Sarai, Dorus Saodat Complex, Crypt of Timur, and Kok Gumbaz mosque

Tamerlane – affectionately known in Uzbekistan as Timur – was dragged to Samarkand as a prisoner by an invading Mongol army. In the years following, his fortune improved and he returned and made Samarkand the capital of his Temurid realm. He and successive 14 & 15 century rulers shaped the city we see today. The madrassas of Registan Square and the mausoleum of Timur and his family – Gur-e-Amir – are sure to be highlights of your journey. Sightseeing: City Tour including:Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Shari zinda necropolis, Afrosiyob Museum, Ulugbek Observatory, Bibi Khanum Mosque - Including entrance

You have some free time for city exploring.

Today we return to the station late afternoon to meet your train to Tashkent. We return to the capital later the same evening, for our last night in Uzbekistan.

Today you have a chance to explore the old town and Chorsu Bazaar before this incredible journey, tracing the path of defeats and victories, of births and deaths, ends where it all began.